Abstract [en]

Background: In 2014, 60 524 patients with malignant tumours were registered in the Swedish Cancer Registry. The distribution of malignant tumours was 52 percent for men and 48 percent for women. Relatives play an important role in the life of a person with cancer, and these families are facing major changes in everyday life. Nurses have an important role to give support to these affected families.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe family members’ experiences of being a relative of a person with cancer and to describe research groups in the included studies.

Method: A literature review with descriptive design based on 13 qualitative scientific studies. The material was analysed and divided into subject headings.

Main Results: The results displayed that relatives of people with cancer are living in a family with major changes of their roles and in everyday life. Relatives could experience anxiety and concerns about life situation and helplessness. It was important for family members to keep the family together for their own sake and for the person with cancer. The experience of healthcare professionals varied among these family members.

Conclusion: Relatives are affected in many ways. Facing challenges is everyday life for these relatives, and help from friends, family and health professionals are important for family members with a person with cancer. It is relevant with information in just the right amount and that the nurse is showing empathy towards relatives. Finally, it’s relevant that the nurse also sees the whole family and not just the person with cancer.